COLLABORATIVE SEARCHING - Disclosed are techniques that allow users to collaborate in a search. Each user can contribute to an original search and to refining the results of the search. Preferences of all of the users are considered in the search even while those preferences can be kept private. In some embodiments of the present invention, at least two users each submit a search query. The multiple search queries are logically combined to produce one set of search results. The results can be reviewed by the users and refined if necessary. In some embodiments, a search query can be specified by a single user, but the search engine takes into consideration the stored preferences of multiple users (in addition to the search query itself, of course).

06-17-2010

20110035807

Devices and Methods of Clustered Displays - Disclosed are devices and methods of communication devices that are configured to be a part of clustered displays. A communication device may be a mobile communication device. Such a device may include a cluster module configured to determine that the device is a license owning unit, a content module configured to receive data including content via a transceiver when it is determined that the device is a license owning unit and a distribution module configured to transmit output data via a transceiver, the output data being at least one portion of the data. The license owning unit is determined based on the reception characteristics of the devices of the cluster. The distribution by the license owning unit to other devices in the cluster is at the lowest resolution of any of the devices of the cluster.

02-10-2011

20110050564

Dynamic Picture Frame in Electronic Handset - A portable electronic device configured to operate in a image presentation mode that presents a sequence of images on a display component. A controller is configured to determine a context of the portable electronic device and to vary a presentation time period of images in a subset of images in the sequence relative to the presentation time period of images not in the subset, wherein the images in the subset are associated with the context of the portable electronic device.

Systems and Methods Providing Content on a Display Based Upon Facial Recognition of a Viewer - Disclosed is a display system and a method of a display system including a display device configured to provide visual output in a direction, and a camera associated with the display, the camera image collector being pointed in the direction of the visual output, the camera configured to collect facial data. A processor is provided to correlate facial data with content data so that the display will display specific content while the camera collects the facial data. A user's mobile communication device can detect the display system and transmit facial data to the display system. When a user is positioned so that the camera of the system can collect facial data of the user's face, the system can push specific content based upon facial recognition of the user correlated with the user's preferences or other criteria. A determination as to content to display is based upon facial recognition.

06-30-2011

20110316844

Devices and Methods of User Interfaces to Generate a High Current Drain Impact User Notification Relating to a Wallpaper Image - Disclosed are methods of user interfaces of electronic devices having a displays configured to annunciate wallpaper images wherein a wallpaper image includes image data. Image data can be characterized, for example, by the luminance levels of pixels of the image and/or the power needed to display the image. An image characteristic threshold is related to current drain impact, for example, in terms of luminance and/or power needed to display an image. A disclosed method can include receiving the image data of the wallpaper image and determining whether the image characteristic of the image data (such as luminance level at a given percentile) exceeds the image characteristic threshold. A disclosed method can further provide generating a user interface notification relating to the image characteristic exceeding the image characteristic threshold and relating to the current drain impact of displaying the image as wallpaper.

SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR ADAPTING AN ATTRIBUTE MAGNIFICATION FOR A MOBILE COMMUNICATION DEVICE - Techniques and technologies are presented for adapting an attribute magnification for a mobile communication device. An output device for the attribute is connected to the mobile communication device. A sensor tracks distance of a user's head in relation to the mobile communication device; while a controller initiates a setting phase for magnification change and subsequently a tracking phase, opposite from the setting phase, for dynamically adjusting the attribute from the mobile communication device.

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR MORPHING A USER DURING A VIDEO CALL - A method and apparatus for changing an appearance of a user during a video call is provided herein. Prior to making a call, a user identifies several images that can be used as morphing templates and also identifies a context where each template will be used. During a video call, a morphing template is then chosen based on a context of the call (e.g., time, place, caller identification, etc.). During the video call, the user's image will be morphed based on the chosen template. Because templates used for morphing will be easily changed based on a context of the call, the user will be provided with a simple technique to for morphing their image.

APPARATUS FOR PROVIDING FEEDBACK ON NONVERBAL CUES OF VIDEO CONFERENCE PARTICIPANTS - An electronic device is communicatively coupled to at least one video camera during a video conference, and also includes a touchscreen display having video conference participant representations displayed on the touchscreen display. A haptics feedback system is integrated into the touchscreen display and is responsive to a user touching the video conference participant representations displayed on the touchscreen display. A speech-to-text controller converts video conference participant's speech into text and creates an identification tag for each video conference participant. In addition, an ongoing commentary controller provides feedback on non-verbal cues about the video conference participants.

Pulse Frequency Modulation (PFM) Mode Lock Out for Regulators When Receive Signal Quality Is Low - A method, power switching system, and communications device supply power in a pulse width modulation (PWM) mode to a transceiver whenever the transceiver processes a low quality signal. A power supply mode (PSM) utility/controller determines a quality of a signal that is currently being processed by a transceiver, and when the quality of the signal is less than a pre-set threshold level, the PSM controller triggers the power supply to operate exclusively in the PWM supply mode. However, when the quality of the signal satisfies a preset threshold level, the PSM controller enables the power supply to autonomously switch between the PFM supply mode and the PWM supply mode. In one embodiment, the controller dynamically determines a power demand by the transceiver and when the power demand exceeds a preset threshold demand level, the controller triggers the power supply to operate exclusively in the PWM supply mode.

01-31-2013

20130034020

LINK SHARING WITHIN A COMMUNICATION SYSTEM - A method and apparatus for choosing members of a local-area network and choosing a network coordinator among the members is provided herein. During operation a mobile node will determine presence information for nodes within its local area. These nodes will be solicited by the node to be part of a local-area network. Of all nodes that accept the request to form a local area network, a network coordinator for the local-area network will be chosen by determining which node's data budget allows for the cheapest transfer of data. The node with the best data budget is then chosen to be a network coordinator.

02-07-2013

20130040581

TUNABLE FILTER FEEDBACK TO CONTROL ANTENNA SWITCH DIVERSITY - A method, antenna switching integrated circuit (IC), and communications device that connect a transmitter to a selected antenna to propagate at least one transmission signal to the selected one of at least two antennas, based on feedback information associated with one or more antennas. An antenna tuning and switching (ATS) controller receives feedback information about a current status of an antenna tuner, wherein the current status of the antenna tuner is either locked or unlocked. In response to the current status of the antenna tuner being in a locked state, the ATS controller triggers an antenna selection switch to connect the antenna (that is associated with the antenna tuner) to the transmitter in order to propagate the transmission signal(s) from the transmitter to the antenna. If the antenna tuner is in an unlocked state, the ATS controller selects a different antenna that is not associated with an antenna tuner.

02-14-2013

20130052967

ANTENNA TUNING ON AN IMPEDANCE TRAJECTORY - A method, transceiver integrated circuit (IC), and communications device for generating antenna tuning states derived from a pre-established trajectory of tuning states to adjust a detected signal level towards a preset, given value. A tuning state generation (TSG) controller determines whether a detected signal level matches a given value. If the detected signal level does not match the given value, the TSG controller selects an initial preset tuning state from a pre-established trajectory corresponding to a pre-identified operating condition that best matches a current operating condition. The TSG logic forwards the initial preset tuning state to the antenna tuner to trigger impedance transformation. Following generation of the initial preset tuning state, the controller receives an updated detected signal level. If the updated detected signal level fails to match the given value, the controller generates an incremental tuning state that is interpolated between the initial and a final preset tuning states.

02-28-2013

20130053661

SYSTEM FOR ENABLING RELIABLE SKIN CONTRACT OF AN ELECTRICAL WEARABLE DEVICE - A system for enabling reliable skin contact of an electrical wearable device associated with physiological information detected by the wearable device. The system includes a wearable tightness detector powered by a power supply for the wearable device, and a controller for monitoring electrical signals emanating from the power supply and the wearable tightness detector. Also, at least two thermocouples electrically coupled to the wearable tightness detector, along with at least two skin contact modules electrically coupled to the wearable tightness detector. The at least two thermocouples provide the physiological information detected by the wearable device in relation to a subject. An adjustable wearable band is included in the system. The tightness of the wearable band is detected by the wearable tightness detector and an output signal from the at least two thermocouples to ensure reliable physiological information from the subject during the subject's wearing of the wearable device.

02-28-2013

20130085410

METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR IDENTIFYING LOCATION OF A TOUCHED BODY PART - A method and system for identifying location of a touched body part. The method includes initializing a tracking system for monitoring travel of a pointer useful for indicating a touching operation, wherein the touching operation is performed on a body part. In addition, the method includes monitoring the travel of the pointer from a predetermined first location to a second location, wherein the second location coincides with a touch endpoint on a body part; and identifying the location of body part that was touched by the pointer.

Smart Adaptive Device for Alerting User of Scheduled Tasks Prior to Falling Asleep - A method is provided for alerting a user of scheduled tasks prior to falling asleep. The method includes associating an alarm device with a user's body by securing a wearable device to the user's wrist, placing the device in a pocket, integrating the device into the user's clothing such as a belt, or otherwise placing the device in contact with or adjacent to the user. The device includes one or more sensors for detecting physiological and/or environmental parameters such as heart, respiration, or pulse rate, body movements, eye movements, ambient light, and the like. Upon detecting a pre-sleep state, the device gathers information about tasks which the user desires to perform or attend to prior to going to sleep, and alerts the user before falling asleep.

05-30-2013

20130151659

METHOD TO USE LOCATION TO PRESENT DESIRABLE AND CONDITIONAL MEDIA CONTENT - A method to present desirable consumable media content for a mobile communication device during the occurrence of a likely future out of data network coverage condition. A future period of non-availability is determined, for a first data network that is associated with the mobile communication device, by analyzing likely occurrence of an out of data network coverage condition. Prior to the occurrence of the out of data network coverage condition: the method will calculate the amount and type of downloadable consumable media content that the mobile communication device will present for use during occurrence of the out of data network coverage condition. The method downloads the consumable media content for consumption or presentation via the mobile communication device.

06-13-2013

20130152129

POPULATING A USER INTERFACE DISPLAY WITH INFORMATION - A method of populating a series of tiles of an interactive user interface with information is disclosed. The interactive user interface is in a form of a visual display of a representation of an object having a surface contour, and the method includes the step of populating the tiles such that information of greater priority is initially populated in tiles that are most prominently displayed on the object and information of lesser priority is initially populated in tiles that are less prominently displayed on the object. Apparatus and a computer readable storage medium for performing the method are also disclosed.

06-13-2013

20130156169

METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR MANAGING MULTIPLE SIMULTANEOUSLY PLACED CALLS - A method is disclosed, herein, for managing multiple simultaneously placed calls by enabling calling, in parallel and simultaneously, a plurality of parties. An initial answer is detected from one of the plurality of parties and the initial answer is further determined to be from a live person or a machine-operated apparatus, such as an answering machine, voice-mail service. Where the initial answer is from a machine-operated apparatus a pre-recorded message is played; unlike where a live person has been detected. Therein, a live conversation is enabled where the initial answer is determined to be a live person. Finally, the method includes the simultaneous management of the other called parties while the live conversation with the initial live person is occurring.

06-20-2013

20130202132

Motion Based Compensation of Downlinked Audio - Embodiments relate to systems for, and methods of, compensating for movement of a loudspeaker relative to a user's head, where the loudspeaker is present in a mobile device. Example systems and methods produce (

08-08-2013

20130222137

METHOD FOR ADAPTING A MOBILE COMMUNICATION DEVICE'S FUNCTION TO MONITORED ACTIVITY AND A USER'S PROFILE - A method for adapting a mobile communication device's function corresponding to monitored activity and a user's profile that includes determining whether monitored sensors have exceeded a predetermined sensory threshold based on close association with the user's stored profile and the real-time activity of the user; providing an alerting threshold specific to the user where the predetermined sensory threshold has been exceeded; automatically and dynamically change at least one function of the mobile communication device based on the newly determined alerting threshold; and adjust the alerting threshold based on whether the predetermined sensory threshold has been exceeded.

08-29-2013

20130222271

Methods and Apparatuses for Operating a Display in an Electronic Device - An electronic device can include detectors for altering the presentation of data on one or more displays. In a wearable electronic device, a flexible housing can be configured to enfold about an appendage of a user, such as a user's wrist. A display can disposed along a major face of the flexible housing. A control circuit can be operable with the display. A gaze detector can be included to detect a gaze direction, and optionally a gaze cone. An orientation detector can be configured to detect an orientation of the electronic device relative to the user. The control circuit can alter a presentation of data on the display in response to a detected gaze direction, in response to detected orientation of the wearable electronic device relative to the user, in response to touch or gesture input, or combinations thereof. Secondary displays can be hingedly coupled to the electronic device.

08-29-2013

20130251010

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR COMPENSATING FOR PHASE SHIFT IN A COMMUNICATION DEVICE - A method and apparatus for compensating is described, in which a tuning network is electrically coupled to an antenna and to a phase shift network. A controller communicatively linked to the tuning network and to the phase shift network receives data regarding the state of a communication system. The controller changes the impedance of the tuning network, and changes the phase shift of the phase shift network based on the received data. The received data may include information regarding the channel, band, or sub-band on which a communication device is communicating; information regarding on the application state of the device; and the modem state of the device.

09-26-2013

20140060150

Odor Removing Device - A device is provided which includes an activity sensor, a communication portion, and a route suggesting portion. The activity sensor can detect physical activity of a user of a device. The communication portion may provide access one or more social networks via a communication network, in which the device may communicate with a social network of contacts. The route suggesting portion may provide an alternate route to travel such that the predicted odor may not offend others that are socially connected to the user and that travel the same routes as the user.

Devices and Methods for Providing Exorbitant Charge Information to a User of a Communication Device - Methods of an out-going call intercept process by a communication device, a communication device, and a server access premium service calls data if an outgoing call communication address is not stored by the communication device in its outgoing call history or in its phonebook. The disclosed methods and device may thwart the fraudulent practice of tricking a user into establishing communication with a premium service calls communication address that they may not otherwise call. The premium service calls data may be stored in the communication device memory, or may be accessed remotely by a remote server. A prompt may be provided by the communication device for authorization to establish an outgoing communication when it is determined that the premium service calls data for the outgoing call communication address meets predetermined criteria. A user may provide authorization to establish a communication in accordance with the outgoing call communication address.

07-01-2010

20100169436

Method for Facilitating User of a Communication Device to Control Multiple Concurrent Communication Sessions - A method of operating a communication device to facilitate a user to control multiple concurrent communication sessions. In operation, the communication device receives a plurality of incoming communications from a plurality of recipients, in which each recipient corresponds to at least one of the multiple concurrent communication sessions. The communication device further detects a user response from a user interface of the communication device in response to receiving the incoming communications. Next, the communication device correlates the user response with at least one of the received incoming communications or previously received communications corresponding to the recipients. Further, the communication device selects at least one of the plurality of recipients based on the correlation and sends the user response to the selected at least one of the plurality of recipients.